"Superbloom", Celebrating Women in Dance: A Conversation with Sara Mearns and Jodi Melnick

"Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and special guests, NYC Ballet principal dancer, Sarah Mearns and choreographer, Jodi MelnickIn this episode of "Dance Talk” ® , host Joanne Carey engages in a rich conversation with Sarah Mearns, principal dancer at New York City Ballet, and choreographer Jodi Melnick. They explore their individual journeys into dance, the evolution of their collaboration over the past decade, and the creation of their new piece, Super Bloom, which celebrates women in dance. The discussion highlights the importance of joy in the creative process, the impact of social media on live performance, and the bridging of ballet and modern dance. Both artists emphasize the need for authenticity and presence in their work, making this a compelling dialogue about the future of dance.Sara Mearns was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and began her dance training at the age of three with Ann Brodie at the Calvert-Brodie School of Dance, also in Columbia.At the age of 13, Ms. Mearns trained with Patricia McBride at Dance Place, the School of North Carolina Dance Theatre, in Charlotte. She continued her studies at age 14 with Stanislav Issaev at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville.Ms. Mearns entered the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, full time in the fall of 2001. In the fall of 2003 Ms. Mearns became an apprentice with New York City Ballet.As an apprentice, Ms. Mearns danced a featured role in Michel Fokine's Chopiniana, performed by SAB as part of New York City Ballet's 2004 winter season.In June of 2004, Ms. Mearns joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet.In March of 2006 she was promoted to soloist and in June 2008, Ms. Mearns was promoted to principal dancer. Jodi Melnick is a NYC based choreographer, performer, and teacher. The profound expression of the dancing body and lucid performing instincts drive her creative process as the work is transformed through the phenomenon of movement. Her rich dance background includes dancing for Twyla Tharp, collaborating with Trisha Brown and years of creative experiences with esteemed artists such as Sara Rudner, David Neumann, Rashaun Mitchell, Silas Reiner, Liz Roche, Jon Kinzel, Vicky Shick, John Jasperse, Susan Rethorst, Donna Uchizono, Yoshiko Chuma, Charles Atlas, Sibyl Kempson, and most recently, Maya Lee-Parritz. Her post – modern, experimental sensibilities have intersected with NYCBallet principal dancers, and middle and highs schoolers. Honors include, Doris Duke Impact Award, Guggenheim Fellow, Jerome Robbins New Essential Works Grant, Foundation for Contemporary Arts Grant, two Bessie Awards, Gibney’s DIP Residency Grant, Lower Manhattan Cultural Center 2 -year extended Life Grant, and Center for Ballet Arts Fellow.Superbloom (Dancing Into Choreographic Forms) is a world premiere that reaches into the dance made at 92NY. Part of Women Move the World, 92NY’s 2025/26 Harkness Mainstage Series, this reflective and evocative performance honors the evolution of dance while continuously redefining a movement language that represents where we are right now.Get Tickets https://www.92ny.org/event/superbloom-dancing-into-choreographic-forms“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancetalkwithjoannecarey.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠Please leave us a Review.Please help support the podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gofund.me/e561b42ac⁠⁠